NTT DOCOMO and D-Wave Improve Mobile Network Performance by 15% With Quantum Optimization Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

NTT DOCOMO and D-Wave have successfully conducted a quantum optimization pilot that improved mobile network performance by 15%. Using D-Wave's annealing quantum computing solutions, DOCOMO reduced congestion at base stations by decreasing paging signals during peak calling times. The pilot demonstrated potential for increased efficiencies and lowered infrastructure costs.

Key highlights:

• D-Wave's hybrid solver completed the task in 40 seconds, compared to 27 hours for a general-purpose solver
• 15% reduction in paging signals allowed 1.2 times more terminals to be connected during high call volume periods
• DOCOMO plans to deploy the hybrid-quantum solution in production across its Japanese branch offices
• The company is exploring applications in finance, retail, traffic, logistics, and construction

Positive

• 15% reduction in network signal congestion across base stations
• Quantum optimization completed task in 40 seconds vs. 27 hours for classical methods
• 1.2 times more terminals connected during high call volume periods
• Potential for increased efficiencies and lowered infrastructure costs
• Plans to deploy hybrid-quantum solution in production across Japanese branch offices

Negative

• None.

Insights

Telecommunications Expert

This quantum optimization pilot by NTT DOCOMO and D-Wave represents a significant breakthrough in mobile network management. The 15% reduction in paging signals during peak times is a substantial improvement, potentially leading to enhanced network capacity and reduced congestion. This could translate to better service quality for customers and cost savings for DOCOMO by optimizing existing infrastructure rather than investing in new hardware.

The ability to process complex network data 40 seconds vs. 27 hours using classical methods is a game-changer for real-time network optimization. As 5G networks continue to expand, this quantum-powered solution could be important in managing the exponential growth in connected devices and data traffic. DOCOMO's plan to deploy this technology across Japan indicates strong confidence in its scalability and potential long-term benefits.

Quantum Computing Analyst

D-Wave's annealing quantum computing solution demonstrates a practical, real-world application of quantum technology in a critical industry. The success of this pilot could accelerate the adoption of quantum computing in telecommunications and other sectors facing complex optimization challenges. The dramatic reduction in processing time (from 27 hours to 40 seconds) showcases the potential of quantum computing to solve problems that are intractable for classical computers.

However, it's important to note that this is a hybrid quantum-classical solution, not a pure quantum system. As quantum hardware continues to advance, we may see even more significant improvements. This project also highlights the importance of developing quantum algorithms tailored to specific industry problems, a trend likely to drive further innovation in the quantum computing space.

Financial Analyst

For D-Wave (NYSE: QBTS), this successful pilot with a major telecom provider like NTT DOCOMO could be a significant catalyst for growth. It demonstrates the commercial viability of their quantum solutions, potentially opening doors to more telco partnerships globally. The planned deployment across DOCOMO's Japanese branch offices suggests a substantial contract value and recurring revenue potential for D-Wave.

For DOCOMO, the 15% reduction in paging signals could lead to substantial cost savings by optimizing existing infrastructure. This efficiency gain might allow DOCOMO to delay or reduce capital expenditures on new base stations, improving their return on invested capital. Moreover, the potential applications in finance, retail and logistics hint at further operational improvements across DOCOMO's business units, which could positively impact their bottom line in the long term.

Project shows reduction in network signal congestion across base stations, with potential for more efficient signal transmission and equipment cost savings

PALO ALTO, Calif. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) (“D-Wave” or the “Company”), a leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services and the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers, and NTT DOCOMO Inc., Japan’s largest mobile phone operator with over 90 million subscriptions, today announced a quantum optimization pilot that resulted in demonstrable mobile network performance improvements. Using D-Wave’s annealing quantum computing solutions, DOCOMO found that it can reduce congestion at base stations by decreasing paging signals during peak calling times by 15%, potentially leading to increased efficiencies and lowered infrastructure costs. The company plans to deploy the hybrid-quantum solution in production across its Japanese branch offices in the coming months.

D-Wave’s hybrid-quantum technology was used to optimize base station tracking areas — which are small geographical regions — that collectively send paging signals and process extensive historical data on device movements between stations. This helps DOCOMO predict future movement patterns and determine the best combination of base stations to re-establish connections as devices move between tracking areas.

The solution’s efficiency was demonstrated in pilot tests for certain areas in Japan (Tokai, Chugoku, Kyushu regions) when compared to classical methods. While a general-purpose solver took 27 hours, D-Wave’s hybrid solver completed the same task in just 40 seconds. The test results showed that quantum optimization led to a 15% reduction in paging signals, allowing approximately 1.2 times more terminals to be connected during periods of high call volume. This expanded bandwidth for base station resources has the potential to greatly reduce congestion, which would help the company maintain quality network traffic flow even during heavy usage. Additional details around this pilot are available in English and Japanese here and here.

“We anticipate that our quantum optimization strategy will further refine network efficiency, allowing us to maintain high-quality service without additional infrastructure investments as network traffic increases,” said Takatoshi Okagawa, director of research and development strategy at NTT DOCOMO. “With D-Wave’s hybrid quantum technology, we aim to set a new standard in the telecommunications industry for operational performance.”

“Telcos are faced with a slew of increasing operational complexities — from 5G implementation to ever-shifting consumer demands — and need novel solutions to maintain a competitive edge,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “DOCOMO’s successful pilot sends a clear signal — that today’s quantum technologies are capable of solving telcos’ complex optimization problems, with the potential to elevate customer satisfaction, maintain network performance and mitigate rising infrastructure costs.”

Following its successful pilot, DOCOMO plans to deploy the annealing quantum computing solution into production at branch offices across Japan. The company is also exploring opportunities to apply quantum optimization across its business units including finance, retail, traffic and logistics, and construction.

About NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 90 million subscriptions, is one of the world's foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities ("+d" partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/

About D-Wave Quantum Inc.

D-Wave is a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services, and is the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers—and the only company building both annealing quantum computers and gate-model quantum computers. Our mission is to unlock the power of quantum computing today to benefit business and society. We do this by delivering customer value with practical quantum applications for problems as diverse as logistics, artificial intelligence, materials sciences, drug discovery, scheduling, cybersecurity, fault detection, and financial modeling. D-Wave’s technology has been used by some of the world’s most advanced organizations including Mastercard, Deloitte, Davidson Technologies, ArcelorMittal, Siemens Healthineers, Unisys, NEC Corporation, Pattison Food Group Ltd., DENSO, Lockheed Martin, Forschungszentrum Jülich, University of Southern California, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may not be indicative of future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, various factors beyond management’s control, including the risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release in making an investment decision, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240820439869/en/

D-Wave

Alex Daigle

media@dwavesys.com

NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO Quantum Project

xt2_quantum-pj@ml.nttdocomo.com

Source: D-Wave Quantum Inc.

FAQ

What improvement did NTT DOCOMO achieve using D-Wave's quantum optimization technology?

NTT DOCOMO achieved a 15% reduction in network signal congestion across base stations using D-Wave's quantum optimization technology, potentially leading to increased efficiencies and lowered infrastructure costs.

How much faster was D-Wave's hybrid solver compared to classical methods in the DOCOMO pilot?

D-Wave's hybrid solver completed the task in 40 seconds, while a general-purpose solver took 27 hours, making it significantly faster than classical methods.

What are DOCOMO's plans for implementing D-Wave's quantum technology (QBTS) in the future?

DOCOMO plans to deploy the hybrid-quantum solution in production across its Japanese branch offices in the coming months and is exploring applications in finance, retail, traffic, logistics, and construction.

How did the quantum optimization affect DOCOMO's network capacity during peak calling times?

The quantum optimization allowed approximately 1.2 times more terminals to be connected during periods of high call volume, potentially reducing congestion and maintaining quality network traffic flow.